Dolphin Weekly Waves
West End News- Week of Aug. 21-25, 2023
From the Principal
This year, our teachers and administration are working on LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) training. Last week we learned that oral language is the foundation for literacy (reading and writing). We know that screen time does not promote children’s language development. Studies indicate that infants with more screen time had delayed expressive language skills. The ability to say words and sentences is delayed. For each additional hour of videos that 8-16 month-old infants watched in a day, they said an average of 6-8 fewer words!
We have learned that the best way to help children learn and grow is to interact with them! Have fun in your everyday interactions; talk with each other at meal time; play fun games while in the car; play board games, etc.
Most parents of preschoolers report that having their child watch a video or play a video game allows them to get something done or gives them a break. Whenever possible, when your child watches a show on a device, be sure to talk about it.
Want to know more? Check out this article - "iPad = I Don't Talk: The Effects of Young Children's Screen Time."
We are continuing our journey to be the BEST each of us can be! Have a wonderful week!
Angie Garrison, EdD
Principal
West End's Mission: Our West End Community maximizes students’ potential by providing instruction that builds our students’ knowledge, strengthens their skills, and develops in them career-ready characteristics for success in an ever-changing world.
We had a great week of learning!
Meet Officer Holcombe!
MAP testing soon! Please be sure your child is at school on time these days!
Tech Fees are due!
If you would like to volunteer, you will need to attend a 30 minute training session. Volunteer training sessions are included in the Family Events Calendar. Our first Volunteer Training of the Year will be Thursday, August 24, at 4:00 p.m. Please remember all field trip chaperones must be volunteer trained yearly and have an updated background check ($25) through the district. If you wish to chaperone a field trip, please complete this process well in advance of the field trip. (Note - The number of chaperones needed for a trip varies by trip. Teachers will work with trained volunteers to fill needed spots.)
Have you reserved your spot for dinner?
August's Core Character Skill is "Self-Control"
For the month of August, we are learning about self- control. Self- control means we should stop and think before we act. One way to show self-control is by playing games. When you play a game, you must always listen and follow directions. Deep breathing is an excellent way to show self-control. Taking deep breaths and counting to 10 allows your body and mind to calm down before you react. Finally, sometimes you have to walk away from a situation so that you don’t get into trouble. This takes great self-control. Teachers will be choosing a student from their homerooms that have greatly demonstrated this core skill all month long to be our first "Distinguished Dolphin!"
Attendance Matters!
Chronically absent: Any student in grade K-12 who misses 50 percent or more of the instructional day for any reason for 10 percent (or more) of the enrollment period.
Using this new definition, states are required to report the number of students in each district and school who are absent at least 10% of the time during which they are enrolled in a particular school or district. More specifically, students who are enrolled in the same school for an entire academic year and miss 18 or more days (10 percent) will be considered chronically absent. The total number of chronically absent students will be included on district and school report cards and reported to the public.
- All types of absences contribute to chronic absenteeism:
- Excused Absences
- Unexcused Absences
- Suspensions
We are working on improving our overall attendance at West End this school year. We realize there are times when your child is sick and unable to attend school, but we want parents to be aware of how important being at school on time and staying the whole day matters. One of our schoolwide goals is to improve our chronic absenteeism this year versus last school year.
Preschool Story Time is Back!
Nominate a West End Teacher for "Teacher of the Month" Honors
Each month, you have the opportunity to honor a teacher of your choosing as the "West End Teacher of the Month!" Simply complete this form telling us why the teacher you chose is deserving. You may nominate as many times as you wish. Thank you for supporting our teachers and recognizing the hard work they put in to teaching your child each day. 😍
This Year, We Are Working to Be Our Best!
What are our behavior expectations at West End?
Information, Reminders, Links
- MySchoolBucks - Sign up for a MySchoolBucks account for online payments for tech fees, field trip fees, t-shirt sales, etc.
- All students K5-5 will be assigned a device for classroom and home use. Before sending the device home, a $25 Tech it Home user fee to cover accidental damage to the device, charging device, and carrying case should be paid. More information about the Tech It Home Fee.
- Schoology is a learning platform that allows parents to communicate with teachers, stay on top of student assignments, and monitor student progress (grades 3-5). Access Codes will come home soon. Please let us know if you need help getting connected.
- Securly is a powerful tool designed to help parents monitor and set limits on their child's school-issued device. Please let us know if we can help with the program.
Connect with our West End Family!
Be sure to follow West End on Facebook!
Twitter- @westendelem
Instagram- @westendelem
Phone (864)397-2500
Dr. Angie Garrison, Principal Email: angiegarrison@pickens.k12.sc.us